French: Veronique Zara

There are many reasons educators choose to pursue their careers at Wabash College. For BKT Assistant Professor of French Veronique Zara it was the Wabash atmosphere.

"I was looking to be at a smaller school, but it was really the spirit of community I found the most impressive about Wabash," she said. "I didn’t know there were still all-male colleges left. I looked up information on the website and it seemed like a very collegial place to be."

Zara grew up in France and moved to the United States after she graduated from high school. Her mother is from the United States and her father is French.

"I was always between two cultures," Zara explained. "The teaching thing was always a natural part of my growing up."

She explained her French friends would want to know and understand the meaning of American song lyrics while her American friends would be curious about all things French.

Zara graduated from Grove City College, in Pennsylvania, with a degree in physics and mathematics. He earned her masters and Ph.D. in French at Pennsylvania State College at University Park.

She has found Wabash to her liking with its strong commitment to the liberal arts and her students’ approach to their studies.

"The students seem very invested in their work," she said. "One of the things I like to do is to make sure the students are participating in the learning process and it’s something that seems important to them."

Outside of work, Zara enjoys travel and good food. "I like to eat; therefore, I like to cook. I would say I also enjoy the ethnic influence. Cuisine wasn’t something I knew a whole lot about before I moved from France. Being in the States you get the chance to see different things, going out on my own exploring and trying new things.

"I also like to discuss things. The café scene if France is wonderful; you just go to a café and talk about things, the meaning of life – just everything."